System and method for monitoring the volume of urine within a bladder

Abstract

The proposed system introduces a multi-frequency electromagnetic wave analysis method for non invasive monitoring the volume of urine in the bladder. The innovation of the proposed system according to the present invention provides means for analyzing signal information received, after propagation via the bladder, by applying a pre-defined prediction function (resulting from the application of learning algorithm in conjunction with a Feature Extraction, algorithm for calculating the most contributing electromagnetic wavelengths, determining the most accurate measurements), and providing an accurate estimation of the volume of urine in the bladder.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to the use of electromagnetic waves for monitoring the volume of content within an enclosed media. More particularly, the invention relates to an electromagnetic wave analyzing method and system for monitoring the volume of urine in the bladder. [0002] The urinary system is composed of two kidneys, two tubes called ureters, one urinary bladder, and the urethra. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that produce urine. They are protected by fibrous connective as well as adipose tissue. The kidneys maintain homeostasis by regulating the water and salt balance as well as the pH of the blood, and they excrete nitrogenous wastes generated by amino acid, uric acid, and creatinine metabolism. The ureters are muscular tubes that lead away from a kidney and convey urine to the urinary bladder, which is a distensible, muscular organ that stores urine until it can be expelled. When the urinary bladder fills with urine to 250 of its total 600 millili...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The learning phase is carried out during calibration stage enabling adjustment of the monitoring unit to a specific group of users, specific type of disorders or fine tuning to a specific user. Improved prediction accuracy can be achieved by the introduction of a predefined sensitivity algorithm, which utilizes a Feature Extraction Algorithm for improving range resolution of the signal.

Problems solved by technology

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control urination.

Damage to nerve pathways at any point between the cortical center in the brain and the bladder can impair normal bladder function leading to incomplete bladder emptying.

Diffuse neurologic damage, such as that from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or spinal cord injury can produce the inability to initiate or adequately complete voiding.

Usually, a person may maintain some ability to void, but elevated PVR lead to an increased risk of acute urinary retention, urinary tract infection, or upper tract pathology such as pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis or renal insufficiency.

The standard method of determining PVR urine volumes is intermittent catheterization, which is associated with increased risk of urinary infection, urethral trauma and discomfort for the patient.

Extreme obesity, severe abdominal scarring, pregnancy, muscle spasms, abdominal herniation and abdominal breathing may interfere with bladder ultrasound scanning and prevent accurate measurement.

Results of these studies suggest that ultrasound measurements of PVR urine volume have some limitations in regard to accuracy.

The main problem in using such methods is the sensitivity to changes in the direction of the transducer.

Ultrasonic systems are not automatic and require the intervention of a skilled user.

None of the existing methods and apparatuses described above proposes an apparatus which is non-invasive, automatically monitoring the bladder measurements, simple to use and cost effective.

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